EP1224530A1 - Voice recording apparatus and method for recording voice by using the apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for receiving a request and the voice signal associated with the request and recording the voice signal in the voice card, is provided. The method uses a terminal and telephone at a user, a first recording apparatus connected to the terminal and the telephone, a second recording apparatus connected to the first recording apparatus, and a voice card connected to the first or second recording apparatus. The method comprises the steps of: receiving a request containing destination address from the user through the communication network, and recording the request information in a database, receiving the voice signal from the user through the telephone line, and recording the voice signal in a voice card, and extracting the destination address and transmitting the request information and the voice signal to one of the first and second recording apparatus at a location from which the voice card is delivered.

Description

[Specification]

[Title of the Invention]

Voice Recording Apparatus and Method for Recording Voice by Using

the Apparatus

[Technical Field of the art]

The present invention relates to a voice recording apparatus for recording

voice information signals on a voice card, wherein request information is received

through a communication network and the voice information signals are received

through a telephone line.

[Background of the invention ]

There has been suggested various solutions for transferring voice

information to a remote recipient. One of the conventional solutions is to convert

voice information into electrical signals and transfer the electrical signals to a

computer system of the remote receiver through a communication network, such as

Internet. This solution, however, can be realized only with a sophisticated system

having a microphone for receiving voice information, a converting device for

converting the voice information from the microphone into signals suitable for

being handled by a computer, which is connected to a communication network.

Further, as one of the conventional solutions, the inventor of the present

invention filed a patent application for "A voice telegraph system" of which

application serial number is 1999-018123 and filing date is May 19, 1999. As

shown in Fig. 1 , the patent application of 1999-018123 provides a voice telegraph . -- . .

system transfers an automatic response message stored in a memory 30 of an

automatic response system ("ARS") to a sender through a telephone network 20

and a telephone line 10 and receives voice information from the sender through the

telephone line 10 and the telephone network 20. The voice telegraph system

records and preserves the received voice information after adjusting volume of it in

a voice card 90 or an auxiliary memory 80. Then, the voice telegraph system

transfers the preserved voice information to a receiver to a system located near

from the receiver's place through the telephone line 10, wherein the address of the

receiver's place is stored in the voice card 10.

Another patent application of the present inventor is "A voice telegraph

system and a method thereof filed July 8, 1999 of which application serial

number is 1999-27455. According to the patent application 1999-27455, there is

provided a voice telegraphing method, which includes steps of transferring request

and voice information of a sender to a server connected to a communication

network through a telephone or the Internet, generating a voice telegraph

according to the received request and voice information by using the server and

delivering the voice telegraph to a designated receiver.

Still another patent application of the present inventor is "A voice

transfer and delivery reservation system", which is an application of the voice

telegraph system to a delivery reservation, filed October 1 , 2000 of which

application serial number is 2000-44671. According to the patent application

2000-44671 , a main and a branch offices respectively having terminals for storing . . . .

and transferring request information and voice signals, and the main or branch

office receives the request information and voice signals from a user and then

delivers things and the voice signals to a designated receiver based on the request

information.

[Detailed description of the present invention]

Brief description of the present invention

The present invention was made to improve above described

conventional systems or methods, it is an object of the present invention to provide

a voice recording apparatus and a method thereof for recording and managing a

user's request information and voice signals through a communication network

and/or a telephone line.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a voice recording

apparatus and a method thereof for receiving and recording voice signals based on

a user's request information through a telephone line and then transferring the

recorded voice signals to a remote voice recording apparatus located near from a

receiver's address.

In order to achieve above and other objects, the present invention

provides a voice recording method for receiving request information of a requester

through a communication network and voice information signals associated with

the request information through a telephone line and for recording the voice

information on a voice card, the voice card being capable of recording the voice

information signals, by using a terminal of the requester, a telephone of the

requester, a first voice recording apparatus coupled to the terminal and the

telephone through the communication network and the telephone line and a second

voice recording apparatus placed at a remote location from a location where the

first voice recording apparatus placed, wherein the second voice recording

apparatus is coupled to the first voice recording apparatus through the

communication network and the telephone line and the voice card is coupled to at

least either one of the first and second voice recording apparatuses. The voice

recording method including:

(si) a requesting process for recording on a database the request

information transferred from the requester using the terminal to the first voice

recording apparatus through the communication network, the request information

including at least one destination address;

(s2) a voice recording process for recording the voice information signals

on the voice card coupled to the first voice recording apparatus by referring to the

request information recorded on the database, the voice information signals being

transferred from the requester using the telephone to the first voice recording

apparatus through the telephone line; and

(s3) a voice card delivery process for retrieving the at least one

destination address out of the request information recorded on the database and

transferring the request information and the voice information signals to one of the

first and second voice recording apparatuses, which is placed at a more convenient

location than the other for delivering to the destination address, through the communication network and he telephone line.

Further, the present invention also provides a voice recording apparatus for receiving request information through a communication network, receiving

voice information signals associated with the request information through a

telephone line and recording the voice information signals on a voice card, the

voice card including a voice information memorizing unit and an interface unit.

The voice recording apparatus of the present invention includes:

(a) a telephone signal transmitting-receiving module including

(al) a telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit for transmitting and/or

receiving telephone signals to and/or from the telephone line; and

(a2) a DTMF detecting unit for detecting Dual Tone Multiple Frequency

(DTMF) signals out of signals inputted through the telephone signal

transmitting-receiving unit;

(b) a voice recording module for performing voice signal processing on

the voice information signals inputted through the telephone signal

transmitting-receiving unit and outputting the processed voice information signals

to the interface unit of the voice card;

(c) a network connecting module including

(cl) a network interface unit for transmitting and/or receiving signals to

and/or from the communication network; and

(c2) a request information database for storing the request information

received through the network interface unit; and

(d) a control module for controlling each of the modules and units.

[Brief description of the drawings]

Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the conventional voice telegraph

system.

Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the

application ofthe voice recording apparatus according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the voice

recording apparatus according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a timing sequence diagram showing an example of the operation

ofthe voice recording apparatus according to the present invention.

[Preferred embodiments]

By referring to the attached drawings, preferred embodiments and

operations of the present invention are described in detail.

Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram where the voice recording apparatus

300 of the present invention is coupled to a communication network 202, a

telephone network 204 and a voice card 400. According to the present invention, a

plurality of voice recording apparatuses 300 can be placed at a plurality of

locations, and each of the plurality of voice recording apparatuses 300 is assigned

its own service area based on it's location. According to the example shown in Fig.

2, three (3) voice recording apparatuses 300 are placed at three (3) locations, and

the three voice recording apparatuses 300 are respectively assigned their service

areas A, B and C. A user can have an access to the voice recording apparatus 300

by using a telephone 206 and a terminal 208 respectively coupled to the telephone

network and the communication network. The telephone 206 coupled to the

telephone network may be a wired, wireless or mobile telephone. The telephone

network may be a private, public or mobile telephony network. Further, the

communication network may include Internet, LAN, WAN and wireless

communication network. The terminal 208 may include a computer, a PDA and a

CDMA terminal which can have an access to the Internet.

The voice recording apparatus 300 of the present invention includes a

telephone signal transmitting-receiving module 310, a voice recording module 320,

a network connecting module 330 and a control unit 315 for controlling the

modules 300, 310, 320 and 330.

The telephone signal transmitting-receiving module 310 is coupled to the

telephone line, and receives telephone signals and detects Dual Tone Multiple

Frequency ("DTMF") signals.

The voice recording module 320 have a connection port on which a voice

card 400 may be removably connected thereto. The voice card 400 is connected on

the connection port. According to the present invention, the voice card 400

removably connected on the connection port may preferably include a voice

information memorizing unit 405 and an interface unit 403. Details of the voice

card used for the present invention is described in an international patent

application, of which the application serial number is PCT/KR00/01082 filed

September 28, 2000, of the present inventor. The voice recording module 320 with IVIX --O.UO.--UU1

a voice card 400 connected on the connection port receives voice information

signals from a requester, then adjusts volume of the received voice information

signals and then records the adjusted voice information signals into the voice

information memorizing unit 405 of the voice card 400. After recording the voice

information signals from the requester into the voice card 400, the voice card is

detached from the voice recording module 320 and delivered to a designated

receiver. Further, the network connecting module 330 is coupled to the

communication network and manages request information received from the

communication network.

The requester may have an access to the voice recording apparatus 300 of

the present invention via the communication network 202 by using the terminal

208. The requester, then, sends desired request information to the voice recording

apparatus 300 guided by directions provided from the voice recording apparatus

300 via the communication network. The request information sent by the requester

may include (an) address(es) of (a) designated receivers, to which the voice

information is delivered, size of the voice information, an attached message, if any,

information of things to be delivered at the same time, if any, etc. The voice

recording apparatus 300 records the request information into a database and

assigns a memory area for recording the voice information according to the request

information.

Then, the requester may have another access to the voice recording

apparatus 300 of the present invention via the telephone network 204 by using the _- . .-.

telephone 206. The requester generates voice information. Then, the voice

information generated is converted into electrical signals, which can be transferred

through the telephone line via the telephone of the requester. The electrical signals

converted from the voice information the requester generated is defined as "voice

information signals". The voice information signals can be transferred through the

telephone line together with a conventional telephone tone signals. The signals

which can be transferred through a telephone line are defined as "telephone

signals". According to the voice recording apparatus shown in Fig. 2, the voice

information signals converted from the requester's voice information can be

delivered to the voice recording apparatus, and the delivered voice information

signals can be recorded into the voice card.

Configuration of Voice Recording Apparatus

Now, referring to Fig. 3, the voice recording apparatus of the present

invention is described in detail.

As shown Fig. 3, the voice recording apparatus according to the present

invention includes a telephone signal transmitting-receiving module 310, a voice

recording module 320, a network connecting module 330 and a control unit 315

for controlling the modules 300, 310, 320 and 330.

The voice recording apparatus of the present invention may be embodied

in a general purpose computer system. The computer system preferably includes a

main memory (RAM); an auxiliary memory device; a central processing unit

(CPU); an output port for providing output signals from the main memory, the

auxiliary memory device and the CPU; an input/output ("I/O") bus for managing

input and/or output signals of the main memory, auxiliary memory device and

CPU; a telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit ("Modem") coupled to the I/O

bus for converting signals of the I/O bus into telephone signals or vice versa and detecting DTMF signals in the telephone signals; a voice signal processing unit

coupled to the I/O bus for performing voice signal processing on the signals of the

I/O bus and outputting the processed signals via a voice output terminal; and a

network interface unit for receiving communication protocol signals from the

communication network or transferring communication protocol signals to the

communication network. In this case, it is preferable that operation of the voice

recording apparatus 300 of the present invention is stored in the auxiliary memory

device as a software program and performed by the CPU of the general purpose

computer system after the program is uploaded on the main memory.

(1) Telephone Signal Transmitting-Receiving Module

The telephone signal transmitting-receiving module 310 includes a

telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit 301 for receiving telephone signals

transferred from the telephone line and transferring telephone signals to the

telephone line, a DTMF detecting unit 303 for detecting DTMF signals in the

signals inputted by the telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit 301. Even

though Fig. 3 does not show, the voice recording apparatus of the present invention . _. . .-_

may also include an ARS memory for storing automated voice messages provided

by the telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit 301.

In case the telephone signal transmitting-receiving module 310 is

embodied in the general purpose computer system, the telephone signal

transmitting-receiving unit 301 and the DTMF detecting unit 303 may be a modem

which can be installed on the general purpose computer system. Also, the control

unit 315 may be a CPU of the general purpose computer system. In this case, it is

preferable that operation of the telephone signal transmitting-receiving module 310

of the present invention is stored in the memory device as a software program,

which can be run by the general purpose computer system, and performed by the

CPU of the general purpose computer system after the program is uploaded on

RAM of the general purpose computer system when the operation of transmitting

and/or receiving telephone signals is performed.

The program run by the general purpose computer system may preferably

include steps of inputting voice information signals provided by the telephone

signal transmitting-receiving unit, i.e. modem, into the voice signal processing unit

and performing voice signal processing by using the voice signal processing unit.

(2) Voice Recording Module

The voice recording module 320 may include a voice signal processing

unit 309 for performing a voice signal processing, such as volume adjustment, on

the voice information signals inputted by the telephone signal

transmitting-receiving unit 301 ; and a voice card interface unit 313 for outputting

voice information signals, on which voice signal processing is performed by the

voice signal processing unit 309, and control signals to the interface unit of the

voice card 400 and receiving voice information signals and control signals from

the interface unit of the voice card 400. Control signals transferred from the voice

card interface unit 313 to the voice card 400 may include recording control signal

for instructing the voice card to be ready for recording voice information signals

and reproducing control signal for instructing the voice card to reproduce the voice

information signals. Further, control signals transferred from the voice card 400 to

the voice card interface unit 313 may include an "end of message" (EOM) signal

for indicating that the voice card 400 is not able to record any further voice

information signals. Voice information signals recorded in the voice card 400 may

be transferred to the voice recording apparatus 310 through the voice card interface

unit 313. In this case, the voice information signals transferred in this manner is

transferred to the telephone line by the telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit

301 of the voice recording apparatus 310, received by another voice recording

apparatus 310 located at a remote place and recorded by another voice card 400

coupled to the voice recording apparatus 310 located at the remote place. The

international patent application PCT/KROO/01082 discloses detailed descriptions

related to this case.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the voice

recording module 320 may be embodied in the general purpose computer system. - . .

In this case, the voice reccrding module 320 may be formed as a separate

peripheral device which can be coupled to I/O interface unit of the general purpose

computer system, and operation ofthe voice recording module 320 may be formed

as a software program which can be run by the general purpose computer system.

The voice recording module 320 can process voice information signals generated

by the general purpose computer system as well as voice information signals

transferred from the telephone network through the telephone signal

transmitting-receiving unit 301.

In case the voice recording module 320 is formed as a separate peripheral

device coupled to I/O interface unit of the general purpose computer system, the

peripheral device may be a connection card which can be connected to I/O

interface of the general purpose computer system. The connection card of this type

is defined as a "connection card for voice recording". According to an embodiment

of the present invention, the connection card for voice recording may include a

card-side I/O interface unit for communicating I/O interface signals with the I/O

interface unit of the general purpose computer system, a voice signal processing

unit 309 for performing voice signal processing, such as volume adjustment, on

voice information signals transferred from the general purpose computer system

through the I/O interface unit and a voice card interface unit 313 for outputting

voice information signals, on which voice signal processing is performed by the

voice signal processing unit 309, and control signals to the interface unit of the

voice card 400 and receiving voice information signals and control signals from . -. . .-

the interface unit of the voice card 400. The card-side I/O interface unit may be

preferably formed to be inserted to an I/O slot, such as PCI slot or ISA slot, of the

general purpose computer system. Further, the voice card interface unit 313 may

be preferably formed as a connection port.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the voice

signal processing unit 309 of the voice recording module 320 formed as a

peripheral device connected to a general purpose computer system can be

embodied by using a voice signal processing device included in the general

purpose computer system. Examples of the voice signal processing device may

include an inside-type voice signal processing device for performing voice signal

processing of the general purpose computer system and a soundcard which can be

connected to PCI or ISA bus of the general purpose computer system. In this case,

the voice recording module 320 may be a connection cable for coupling voice

output of the voice signal processing device included in the computer system and a

predetermined output from a predetermined output port of the computer system to

the interface unit of the voice card 400. The connection cable of this type is

defined as a "connection cable for voice recording". The connection cable for

voice recording may include a voice output connection terminal which can be

coupled to the voice output terminal of the voice signal processing device of the

general purpose computer system, an output port connection terminal coupled to a

predetermined number of output ports for extracting predetermined output signals

out of a plurality of output signals from the output ports of the general purpose ΓVJΓΛ. -.D.ub. uυi

computer system and an interface unit for coupling signals inputted through the

voice output connection terminal and the output port connection terminal to the

interface unit ofthe voice card 400.

The output ports of the general purpose computer system coupled to the

connection cable for voice recording of the present invention may be a serial port,

a parallel port or a USB port in case the general purpose computer system is an

IBM-compatible personal computer. Especially, in case the output port, to which

the connection cable for voice recording is coupled, of the general purpose

computer system is a parallel port, a predetermined set of connection pins of the

parallel port may be preferably used for voice recording control signals. In this

case, the connection cable for voice recording couples output signals only from the

predetermined set of connection pins to the control signal terminal of the interface

unit of the voice card 400.

Further, the operation of the voice recording module 400 may be

embodied as a software program which can be run by the general purpose

computer system. This software program may preferably include steps for

instructing the voice signal processing device to perform voice signal processing

on the voice information signals inputted to the general purpose computer system

and outputting the processed signals through the voice output of the voice signal

processing device and voice recording control signals through a predetermined

output port of the general purpose computer system.

According to this embodiment, a computer-side port of the connection

cable for voice recording is coupled to a predetermined output port of the general

purpose computer system and a voice output port of the voice signal processing

device, and a voice card-side port of the connection cable is coupled to the

interface unit of the voice card. The software program run by the general purpose

computer system instructs the voice signal processing device to perform voice

signal processing on the voice information signals inputted to the general purpose

computer system and to output the processed signals through the output port of the

voice signal processing device. Also, the software program also instructs the

predetermined output port to output voice recording control signals. The voice

information signals outputted from the voice output terminal of the voice signal

processing device and the voice recording control signals outputted from the

predetermined output port of the general purpose computer system are inputted to

the voice card 400, so that the voice information signals can be recorded by the

voice card 400.

(3) Network Connecting Module

The network connecting module 330 may include a network interface

unit 321 for receiving or transferring signals from or to an outside communication

network and a request information database 319 for storing request information

received through the network interface unit 321. The network connecting module

330 may further include a identification information generating unit 317 for

generating and managing identification information which is used for identifying . . .-.

request information stored in the request information database 319.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the network

connecting module 330 may further include a voice recording apparatus group

information database for storing address information of the voice recording

apparatuses placed at a plurality of locations, such as at some locations in areas A,

B and C, wherein each of the voice recording apparatuses can be accessed at the

address through a communication network, telephone numbers of the telephone

lines coupled to the voice recording apparatuses and area information assigned to

each of the voice recording apparatuses.

In case the network connecting module 330 is embodied in a general

puφose computer system, the network interface unit 321 may preferably be a

model or a LAN card which can be installed on the general puφose computer

system which has an access to the Internet or LAN network. The request

information database 319 may be embodied on a recording medium, such as a hard

disc, which can be installed on the general puφose computer system. In this case,

the control unit 315 may preferably be a CUP of the general puφose computer

system, it is preferable that operation of the network connecting module 330 of the

present invention is embodied as a software program which can be run by the

general puφose computer system, stored on the recording medium and performed

by the CPU of the general puφose computer system after the program is uploaded

on the RAM.

The software program run by the CPU of the general puφose computer

system may preferably include steps for extracting request information out of the

received signals through the network interface unit of the general puφose

computer system and recording the extracted request information on the auxiliary

memory device. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the

software program run by the CPU may further include steps for generating

identification information which designates an address at which request

information is recorded and recording the generated identification information on

the auxiliary memory device, extracting identification information out of DTMF

signals detected by telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit, retrieving request

information recorded at a location on the auxiliary memory device, wherein the

location is designated by the extracted identification information, and providing

voice recording control signals to an output port according to the retrieved request

information.

(4) Others

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the voice

recording apparatus 310 may further include a telephone signal switching unit 302.

The telephone signal switching unit 302 is connected to a telephone line and

performs a function of switching signals inputted from the telephone line to a

separate telephone of an administrator or the telephone signal

transmitting-receiving unit 301. In other words, the telephone signal switching unit

302 switches the telephone signals received through the telephone line to the

telephone of the administrator in order for the administrator to handle the

communication, or to the telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit 301 in order

for the voice recording apparatus to handle the telephone signals.

Recording and Transfer of Voice Information by Using Voice Recording

Apparatus

Now, it is described in detail about the delivery process of the voice

information to the voice recording apparatus 300 placed at a location designated by

a requester after the requester sends request information and voice information to

another voice recording apparatus 300, where the voice recording apparatuses of

the present invention shown in Fig. 3 are placed at locations of area A, B and C as

shown in Fig. 2. Assuming that the requester may have a relatively easy access to

the voice recording apparatus 300 placed at a location of area A and wants to

deliver his voice information, a message and an article to a receiver located in area

C. Fig. 4 is a timing sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the

voice recording apparatus according to the present invention.

The delivery process of a requester's voice information to a designated

receiver may be divided into (1) requesting process, (2) voice recording process

and (3) voice card delivery process.

(1) Requesting Process

The requester may have an access to the network connecting module 330

of the voice recording apparatus 300 placed in area A through the communication

network 202 by using his terminal 208(401). The network connecting module 330

transfers an instruction for receiving request information to the requster(403).

The requester transfers request information to the network connecting

module 330(405). The request information transferred by the requester to the

network connecting module 330 may include (an) address(es) of (a) designated

receivers, to which the voice information is delivered, size ofthe voice information,

an attached message, if any, information of things to be delivered at the same time,

if any, etc. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the request

information may further include information for designating a background sound

or music recorded in the voice card during the recording of the voice information

in the voice card. The information of background sound or music is recorded in the

voice card together with the voice information during the voice recording process

described later.

The network connecting module receives the request information from

the requester and records received request information on a predetermined

database. The identification information generating unit 317 generates

identification information for identifying request information recorded on the

request information database 319 and transfers the identification information to the

requester's terminal(407). For example, the identification information may be one

of a set of serial numbers, each of which designates respective request information

on the request information database 319. According to another embodiment of the

present invention, the network connecting module 330 assigns voice information

recording area to each of the request information and records the request

information on the database.

In case the communication network 202 is Internet, the requester may

have an access to the Web server managed by the network connecting module 330

by using a terminal 208 capable of communicating under the Internet

protocol(401). Then, the network connecting module 330 controls the Web server

to display request information input window on the requester's terminal 208(402).

The requester inputs his request information using the request information input

window provided by the Web server, and then the request information is

transferred to the network connecting module 330(403). According to another

embodiment of the present invention, request information of a requester may be

inputted to the network connecting module 330 through Internet by using an email.

Then, the identification information generating unit 317 generates an identification

information and displays the identification information on the request information

input window or other additional window ofthe requester's terminal. Alternatively,

the identification information may be transferred to the requester's terminal by

Internet email.

(2) Voice Recording Process

The requester requests the voice recording apparatus 300 placed in the

area A to perform voice recording(409). This procedure 409 may be performed

through the telephone network by using the telephone 206 or through the

communication network by using the terminal 208. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment

wherein the procedure 409 is performed through telephone network. In this case,

the requester makes a telephone call at the telephone number corresponding to the

voice recording apparatus 300. In case of using the communication network,

especially Internet, the requester accesses to the Web server managed by the

request managing module 330 of the voice recording apparatus 300 through the

Internet by using the terminal, and then requests to perform voice-recording

through a Web page provided by the Web server.

The voice recording apparatus 300 requests the requester to input

identification informational 1). The requester provides the identification

information received during the above-described requesting process to the voice

recording apparatus 300(413). As shown in Fig. 4, in case of using telephone

network, the voice recording apparatus 300 transfers ARS voice messages

requesting the requester to input identification information to the requester's

telephone 208 from the ARS memory (not shown), and then the requester provides

a set of dial tones by using key pads of the telephone to the voice recording

apparatus 300. Alternatively, in case of using communication network, the voice

recording apparatus 300 displays a window requesting the requester to input the

identification information through a Web page on the requester's terminal 208, and

then the requester transfers the identification information to the Web server

managed by the request managing module 330 by using the terminal 208. In this

case, it is possible to use email, as described above.

The voice recording apparatus 300 retrieves request information from the

request information database 319 by referring to the identification information

transferred from the requester, and then prepares to be ready for voice recording

operation according to the retrieved request information. In case of using telephone

network, the voice recording apparatus 300 determines the identification

information transferred from the requester by inteφreting the set of dial tones

detected by the DTMF detecting unit 303, and then retrieves the request

information from the request information database 319 by referring to the

identification information.

The voice recording apparatus 300 notifies the requester of the readiness

of voice recording operational 5). In case of using telephone network, a voice

message that informs of the readiness of voice recording operation is transferred to

the requester's telephone from the ARS voice memory (not shown). Then, the

administrator of the voice recording apparatus 300 couples the voice card 400 to

the connection port of the voice recording module 320. In case of using

communication network, especially Internet, a message that informs of the

readiness of voice recording operation is displayed on the requester's terminal.

In response to this, the requester transfers his voice information signals to

the voice recording apparatus 300, and then the voice recording apparatus 300

records the voice information signals on the voice card 400 or previously assigned

voice information recording area. In case of using telephone network, the voice

spoken by the requester is converted into voice information signals by the

telephone 206 and the voice information signals are transferred to the telephone

signal transmitting-receiving unit 301 through the telephone network. The voice

recording apparatus 300 extracts voice information signals out of the received

telephone signals and performs voice signal processing on the extracted voice

information signals, and then the processed voice information signals are outputted

to the voice card 400 through the voice card interface unit 313. Further, the voice

recording control signal for controlling the voice card 400 to record inputted voice

information signals is also generated and outputted to the voice card 400. In

response to the voice recording control signals, the voice card 400 records the

voice information signals on a recording medium 405 for voice information.

Further, the voice recording apparatus 300 may also retrieve information of

background sound or music in the request information and records corresponding

background sound or music together with the voice information signals.

In case of using communication network, especially Internet, the

requester transfers the previously generated voice information signals to the

network connecting module 330 through the Internet by using the terminal 208.

The voice recording apparatus 300 records the received voice information signals

on the previously assigned memory area by referring to the identification

information. After the voice recording apparatus 300 performs voice signal

processing on the voice information signals, the processed voice information

signals are outputted to the voice card 400 through the voice card interface unit . .--

313 and voice recording control signal is also outputted to the voice card 400, so

that the voice information signals are recorded on a recording medium of the voice

card 400. Further, the voice recording apparatus 300 may also retrieve information

of background sound or music in the request information and records

corresponding background sound or music together with the voice information

signals. The background sound or music may be mixed with the voice information

signals beforehand, and the mixed signals are recorded on the voice card 400.

(3) Voice Card Delivery Process

The administrator of the voice recording apparatus 300 delivers the voice

card 400, on which the voice information signals are recorded, to the designated

receivers by referring to the request information recorded on the request

information database 319.

In case the destination address is located at inside of the area A, the

administrator delivers the voice card 400 having the voice information signals

transferred from the voice recording apparatus placed in the area A. However, in

case the destination address is located at outside of the area A, such as inside of the

area C or a place near from the area C, the voice recording apparatus 300 placed in

area A transfers the voice information signals recorded on the voice card 400 to the

voice recording apparatus placed in area C, and the transferred voice information

signals are recorded on a voice card coupled to the voice recording apparatus

placed in area C. Then, the voice card coupled to the voice recording apparatus lVl ZD.UD. UUi

placed in area C is delivered to the receiver. According to an embodiment of the

present invention, the voice recording apparatus 300 determines the voice

recording apparatus located at a place nearest from the designated receiver's place

or a place where delivery is most convenient to the receiver according to the

address information of the voice recording apparatuses stored in the voice

recording apparatus group information database.

The international patent application PCT/KR00/01082 provides a detailed

description on the procedures for transferring and recording voice information

signals to a voice recording apparatus placed in other service area through

telephone network from the voice recording apparatus 300 placed in area A.

In case of using a communication network for transferring and recording

voice information signals to a voice recording apparatus placed in area C from the

voice recording apparatus 300 placed in area A, the voice information signals,

together with request information, recorded on a database of the voice recording

apparatus 300 placed in area A is transferred to the voice recording apparatus

placed in area C through the Internet, and the voice recording apparatus placed in

area C receives them and records the received voice information signals on a

database. Further, the procedures for recording the voice information signals on a

voice card and delivering the voice card to the receiver are the same as described

above.

[Industrial application]

According to the present invention, by placing a plurality of voice V ZD.UO. UUl

recording apparatuses at a plurality of locations in a plurality of areas and coupling

these voice recording apparatuses to a telephone network or a communication

network, it is possible to easily deliver a voice card, on which voice information

signals are recorded, to a remote destination, wherein the voice information signals

are transferred to a voice recording apparatus placed at a location near from a

requester's place by the requester using a telephone or a terminal for connecting

communication network.

According to the present invention, it is also possible to make an

integrated request for delivering voice information signals, text messages and

desired articles at the same time by transferring any and every request information

for delivering various kind of things, such as voice information signals, text

messages and articles, through the network under the control ofthe voice recording

apparatus of the present invention.

Further, according to the present invention, since the voice recording

apparatus may use a voice signal processing device and an output port of the

general puφose computer system, the voice information signals can be recorded

on a voice card without using a separate voice signal processing means.

Claims

o / iviv _-o.υo.--υu ι

[Claims]

[Claim l]

A voice recording apparatus for receiving request information through a

communication network, receiving voice information signals associated with said

request information through a telephone line and recording said voice information

signals on a voice card, said voice card comprising a voice information

memorizing unit and an interface unit, comprising:

(a) a telephone signal transmitting-receiving module comprising

(al) a telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit for transmitting and/or

receiving telephone signals to and/or from said telephone line; and

(a2) a DTMF detecting unit for detecting Dual Tone Multiple Frequency

(DTMF) signals out of signals inputted through said telephone signal

transmitting-receiving unit;

(b) a voice recording module for performing voice signal processing on

said voice information signals inputted through said telephone signal

transmitting-receiving unit and outputting said processed voice information signals

to said interface unit of said voice card;

(c) a network connecting module comprising

(cl) a network interface unit for transmitting and/or receiving signals to

and/or from said communication network; and

(c2) a request information database for storing said request information

received through said network interface unit; and

. . .--

(d) a control module for controlling each of said modules and units.

[Claim 2]

A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said (b) voice

recording module comprising:

(bl) a voice signal processing unit for performing voice signal processing

on said voice information signals inputted through said telephone signal

transmitting-receiving unit; and

(b2) a voice card interface unit for outputting said voice information

signals on which voice signal processing is performed by said voice signal

processing unit to said interface unit of said voice card.

[Claim 3]

A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein

said voice card further comprises a control unit for controlling said voice

information memorizing unit to record said voice information signals in response

to a voice recording control signal is inputted;

said interface unit of said voice card comprises a voice input terminal for

receiving said voice information signals and transfers said received voice

information signals to said voice information memorizing unit, and a control input

terminal for receiving said voice recording control signal and transferring said

voice recording control signal to said control unit;

said (b2) voice card interface unit comprises

(b21) a voice output terminal for outputting said voice information

signals on which voice signal processing is performed; and

(b22) a control output terminal for outputting said voice recording

control signal;

said (c) network connecting module further comprises (c3) a

identification information generating unit for generating identification information

which identifies an address at which said request information is stored on said

request information database and providing said identification information through

said network interface unit; and

said (d) control module performs steps of:

(dsl) extracting identification information out of DTMF signals

detected by said DTMF detecting unit;

(ds2) determining request information stored at an address

designated by said identification information extracted during said step of (dsl) on

said request information database; and

(ds3) providing said voice recording control signal to said control

output terminal according to said determined request information.

[Claim 4]

A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein

said request information comprises address information to which said

voice card is delivered;

said (c) network connecting module further comprises

(c4) a voice recording apparatus group information database for - . _- . .--

storing address information of said voice recording apparatuses comprised in a

voice recording apparatus group, telephone numbers of telephone lines coupled to

said voice recording apparatuses and area information assigned to each of said

voice recording apparatuses, wherein said voice recording apparatus group is

defined as a group comprising said voice recording apparatus and at least one of

remote voice recording apparatus coupled to said communication network and

each of said voice recording apparatuses is able to be accessed at said address

through said communication network;

said (d) control module performs steps of:

(ds4) selecting a voice recording apparatus, which is placed in an

area where a destination of said voice card is located, out of said voice recording

apparatuses of which address information are stored on said voice recording

apparatus group information database;

(ds5) controlling said network connecting module to provide said

request information to address of said selected voice recording apparatus; and

(ds6) transferring said voice information signals recorded on said

voice card to said telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit through said

telephone line.

[Claim 5]

A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said request

information comprises background music information of at least one piece of

background music which is recorded on said voice card together with said voice

information signals; and

said (b) voice recording module further comprises a means for outputting

signals of said at least one piece of background music corresponding to said

background music information to said interface unit of said voice card together

with outputting said voice information signals, on which voice signal processing is

performed, to said interface unit of said voice card.

[Claim 6]

A voice recording method for receiving request information of a

requester through a communication network and voice information signals

associated with said request information through a telephone line and for recording

said voice information on a voice card, said voice card being capable of recording

said voice information signals, by using a terminal of said requester, a telephone of

said requester, a first voice recording apparatus coupled to said terminal and said

telephone through said communication network and said telephone line and a

second voice recording apparatus placed at a remote location from a location

where said first voice recording apparatus placed, wherein said second voice

recording apparatus is coupled to said first voice recording apparatus through said

communication network and said telephone line and said voice card is coupled to

at least either one of said first and second voice recording apparatuses, comprising:

(si) a requesting process for recording on a database said request

information transferred from said requester using said terminal to said first voice

recording apparatus through said communication network, said request information V XVJ . --O.Uθ.--UUi

comprising at least one destination address;

(s2) a voice recording process for recording said voice information

signals on said voice card coupled to said first voice recording apparatus by

referring to said request information recorded on said database, said voice

information signals being transferred from said requester using said telephone to

said first voice recording apparatus through said telephone line; and

(s3) a voice card delivery process for retrieving said at least one

destination address out of said request information recorded on said database and

transferring said request information and said voice information signals to one of

said first and second voice recording apparatuses, which is placed at a more

convenient location than the other for delivering to said destination address,

through said communication network and said telephone line.

[Claim 7]

A voice recording method claimed in claim 6, wherein said (si)

requesting process comprises steps of:

(si 1) allowing said requester's access to said first voice recording

apparatus by using said terminal via said communication network;

(si 2) transferring to said terminal of said requester a message notifying

said requester to input said request information comprising said at least one

destination address;

(si 3) receiving said request information from said requester and

recording said received request information on said database; and

(si 4) generating and recording identification information for identifying

said request information recorded on said database and transferring said

identification information to said terminal of said requester.

[Claim 8]

A voice recording method claimed in claim 7, wherein said (s2) voice

recording process comprises steps of:

(s21) allowing said requester's access to said first voice recording

apparatus by using said telephone;

(s22) transferring to said telephone of said requester a message notifying

said requester to input said identification information by using said telephone;

(s23) determining said identification information out of telephone signals

transferred from said requester through said telephone line and retrieving said

request information by referring said determined identification information;

(s24) transferring to said telephone of said requester a message notifying

said requester of readiness of voice recording operation;

(s25) performing voice signal processing on said transferred voice

information signals and recording said processed voice information signals on said

voice card.

[Claim 9]

A voice recording method claimed in claim 8, wherein said request

information comprises background music information of at least one piece of

background music which is recorded on said voice card together with said voice

. . . .

information signals; and

said step (s25) for recording said voice information signals on said voice

card comprises a step of recording said at least one piece of background music

corresponding to said background music information on said voice card together

with recording of said processed voice information signals on said voice card.

[Claim 10]

A voice recording method claimed in claim 8, wherein said (s3) a voice

card delivery process comprises steps of:

(s31 ) determining said request information by referring said identification

information from said database and retrieving said at least one destination address

from said determined request information;

(s32) determining one of said first and second voice recording

apparatuses, which is placed at a more convenient location than the other for

delivering to said destination address, by comparing said at least one destination

address with said locations where said first and second voice recording apparatuses

are placed; and

(s33) in case said second voice recording apparatus is determined as a

result of performing said step of (s32) for determining one of said first and second

voice recording apparatuses, transferring said voice information signals recorded

on said voice card to said second voice recording apparatus by using said

telephone line.

[Claim 11]

A voice recording apparatus for receiving request information and voice

information signals associated with said request information through a

communication network and recording said voice information signals on a voice

card, said voice card comprising a voice information memorizing unit and an

interface unit, comprising:

(c) a network connecting module comprising

(cl) a network interface unit for transmitting and/or receiving signals to

and/or from said communication network; and

(c2) a request information database for storing said voice information

signals and said request information received through said network interface unit;

(b) a voice recording module comprising

(bl) a voice signal processing unit for performing voice signal

processing on said voice information signals inputted through said communication

network; and

(b2) a voice card interface unit for outputting said voice information

signals on which voice signal processing is performed by said voice signal

processing unit to said interface unit of said voice card; and

(d) a control module for controlling each of said modules and units.

[Claim 12]

A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said (b)

voice recording module comprising: l/ I LV -.O.UO.--UU1

(bl) a voice signal processing unit for performing voice signal processing

on said voice information signals inputted through said telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit; and

(b2) a voice card interface unit for outputting said voice information

signals on which voice signal processing is performed by said voice signal

processing unit to said interface unit of said voice card.

[Claim 13]

A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 11 , wherein

said voice card further comprises a control unit for controlling said voice

information memorizing unit to record said voice information signals in response

to a voice recording control signal is inputted;

said interface unit of said voice card comprises a voice input terminal for

receiving said voice information signals and transfers said received voice

information signals to said voice information memorizing unit, and a control input

terminal for receiving said voice recording control signal and transferring said

voice recording control signal to said control unit;

said (b2) voice card interface unit comprises

(b21) a voice output terminal for outputting said voice information

signals on which voice signal processing is performed; and

(b22) a control output terminal for outputting said voice recording

control signal;

said (c) network connecting module further comprises (c3) a

. . .--

identification information generating unit for generating identification information

which identifies an address at which said request information is stored on said

request information database and providing said identification information through

said network interface unit; and

said (d) control module performs steps of:

(dsl) extracting identification information out of DTMF signals

detected by said DTMF detecting unit;

(ds2) determining request information stored at an address

designated by said identification information extracted during said step of (dsl) on

said request information database; and

(ds3) providing said voice recording control signal to said control

output terminal according to said determined request information.

[Claim 14]

A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 11 , wherein

said request information comprises address information to which said

voice card is delivered;

said (c) network connecting module further comprises

(c4) a voice recording apparatus group information database for

storing address information of said voice recording apparatuses comprised in a

voice recording apparatus group, telephone numbers of telephone lines coupled to

said voice recording apparatuses and area information assigned to each of said

voice recording apparatuses, wherein said voice recording apparatus group is - iviY ΔΌ.^→JΌ.ΔKJ^→J I

defined as a group comprising said voice recording apparatus and at least one of

remote voice recording apparatus coupled to said communication network and

each of said voice recording apparatuses is able to be accessed at said address

through said communication network;

said (d) control module performs steps of:

(ds4) selecting a voice recording apparatus, which is placed in an

area where a destination of said voice card is located, out of said voice recording

apparatuses of which address information are stored on said voice recording

apparatus group information database;

(ds5) controlling said network connecting module to provide said

request information to address of said selected voice recording apparatus; and

(ds6) transferring said voice information signals recorded on said

voice card to said telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit through said

telephone line.

[Claim 15]

A voice recording apparatus for receiving request information through a

communication network, receiving voice information signals associated with said

request information through a telephone line and recording said voice information

signals on a voice card, said voice card comprising a voice information

memorizing unit, an interface unit - said interface unit comprises a voice input

terminal for transferring said voice information signals to said voice information

memorizing unit and a control input terminal for receiving a voice recording

. .. . _- . .--

control signal - and a control unit for controlling said voice information

memorizing unit to record said voice information signals in response to a voice

recording control signal is inputted, by using (p) a general puφose computer

system, which comprises:

(p 1 ) a main memory,

(p2) an auxiliary memory device,

(p3) a central processing unit,

(p4) an output port for providing output signals from said main memory,

auxiliary memory device and CPU,

(p5) an input/output bus for managing input and/or output signals of said

main memory, auxiliary memory device and CPU,

(p6) a telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit coupled to said I/O bus

for converting signals of said I/O bus into telephone signals or vice versa and

detecting DTMF signals in the telephone signals,

(p7) a voice signal processing unit coupled to said I/O bus for performing

voice signal processing on said signals of said I/O bus and outputting said

processed signals via a voice output terminal, and

(p8) a network interface unit for receiving communication protocol

signals from said communication network or transferring communication protocol

signals to said communication network, comprising:

a connection cable for respectively coupling said voice output terminal of

said (p7) voice signal processing unit and said (p4) output port to said voice input

terminal and control input terminal of said interface unit of said voice card; and

a program which makes said (p3) central processing unit to perform steps

of:

(psi) controlling said (p3) voice signal processing unit to perform voice

signal processing on said voice information signals inputted through said (p6)

telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit; and

(ps2) extracting request information out of said received signals through

said (p8) network interface unit and recording the extracted request information on

said (p2) auxiliary memory device.

[Claim 16]

A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said

program makes said (p3) central processing unit to perform further steps of:

(ps3) generating identification information which identifies an address at

which said request information is stored on said (p2) auxiliary memory device and

recording said identification information on said (p2) auxiliary memory device;

(ps4) extracting identification information out of DTMF signals detected

by said (p6) telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit;

(ps5) determining request information stored at an address designated by

said identification information extracted during said step of (ps4) on said (p2)

auxiliary memory device; and

(ps6) providing said voice recording control signal to said (p4) output

port according to said determined request information.

. -- . .-

[Claim 17]

A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 15 further comprising a

voice recording apparatus group information database, recorded on said (p2)

auxiliary memory device, for storing address information of said voice recording

apparatuses comprised in a voice recording apparatus group, telephone numbers of telephone lines coupled to said voice recording apparatuses and area information

assigned to each of said voice recording apparatuses, wherein said voice recording

apparatus group is defined as a group comprising said voice recording apparatus

and at least one of remote voice recording apparatus coupled to said

communication network and each of said voice recording apparatuses is able to be

accessed at said address through said communication network,

wherein said program makes said (p3) central processing unit to perform

further steps of:

(ps7) extracting address information, to which said voice card is

delivered, out of said request information extracted from said signals received

through said (p8) network interface unit;

(ps8) selecting a voice recording apparatus, which is placed in an area,

where said extracted address is located, out of said voice recording apparatuses of

which address information are stored on said voice recording apparatus group

information database;

(ps9) controlling said network interface unit to provide said request

information to address of said selected voice recording apparatus; and

. . _ . .--

(pslO) transferring said voice information signals recorded on said voice

card to said telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit through said telephone line.

[Claim 18]

A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said

program makes said (p3) central processing unit to perform further steps of:

(psl-1) recording said signals, on which voice signal processing is

performed by said (p7) voice signal processing unit, on said (p2) auxiliary memory

device;

(ps3) generating identification information which identifies an address at

which said request information and said signal, on which voice signal processing is

performed, are stored on said (p2) auxiliary memory device and recording said

identification information on said (p2) auxiliary memory device;

(ps4) extracting identification information out of DTMF signals detected

by said (p6) telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit;

(ps5) determining request information stored at an address designated by

said identification information extracted during said step of (ps4) on said (p2)

auxiliary memory device; and

(ps6) providing said voice recording control signal to said (p4) output

port according to said determined request information.

[Claim 19]

A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 18 further comprising a

. .. . .--

voice recording apparatus group information database, recorded on said (p2)

auxiliary memory device, for storing address information of said voice recording

apparatuses comprised in a voice recording apparatus group, telephone numbers of

telephone lines coupled to said voice recording apparatuses and area information

assigned to each of said voice recording apparatuses, wherein said voice recording

apparatus group is defined as a group comprising said voice recording apparatus

and at least one of remote voice recording apparatus coupled to said

communication network and each of said voice recording apparatuses is able to be

accessed at said address through said communication network,

wherein said program makes said (p3) central processing unit to perform

further steps of:

(ps7) extracting address information, to which said voice card is

delivered, out of said request information extracted from said signals received

through said (p8) network interface unit;

(ps8) selecting a voice recording apparatus, which is placed in an area,

where said extracted address is located, out of said voice recording apparatuses of

which address information are stored on said voice recording apparatus group

information database;

(ps9) controlling said network interface unit to provide said request

information to address of said selected voice recording apparatus; and

(pslO) controlling said network interface unit to transfer said voice

information signals recorded on said voice card to address of said selected voice -. . ..-

recording apparatus.

[Claim 20]

A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said (p4)

output port is a parallel port, and said connection cable couples a predetermined set

of pins of said (p4) output port to said control input terminal of said interface unit

of said voice card.

[Claim 21]

A computer readable recording media for receiving request information

through a communication network, receiving voice information signals associated

with said request information through a telephone line and recording said voice

information signals on a voice card, said voice card comprising a voice

information memorizing unit, an interface unit - said interface unit comprises a

voice input terminal for transferring said voice information signals to said voice

information memorizing unit and a control input terminal for receiving a voice

recording control signal - and a control unit for controlling said voice information

memorizing unit to record said voice information signals in response to a voice

recording control signal is inputted,

by using (p) a general puφose computer system, which comprises:

(pi) a main memory,

(p2) an auxiliary memory device,

(p3) a central processing unit, (p4) an output port for providing output signals from said main IVIA. --θ.υo.-- uι

memory, auxiliary memory device and CPU,

(p5) an input/output bus for managing input and/or output signals of

said main memory, auxiliary memory device and CPU,

(p6) a telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit coupled to said

I/O bus for converting signals of said I/O bus into telephone signals or vice versa

and detecting DTMF signals in the telephone signals,

(p7) a voice signal processing unit coupled to said I/O bus for

performing voice signal processing on said signals of said I/O bus and outputting

said processed signals via a voice output terminal, and

(p8) a network interface unit for receiving communication protocol

signals from said communication network or transferring communication protocol

signals to said communication network, and

a connection cable for respectively coupling said voice output terminal of

said (p7) voice signal processing unit and said (p4) output port to said voice input

terminal and control input terminal of said interface unit of said voice card,

on which a computer program which makes said (p3) central processing

unit to perform steps of:

(psi) controlling said (p3) voice signal processing unit to perform voice

signal processing on said voice information signals inputted through said (p6)

telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit; and

(ps2) extracting request information out of said received signals through

said (p8) network interface unit and recording the extracted request information on - / IVIΛ. _-D.UO.ZUUl

said (p2) auxiliary memory device.

(ps3) generating identification information which identifies an address at

which said request information is stored on said (p2) auxiliary memory device and

recording said identification information on said (p2) auxiliary memory device;

(ps4) extracting identification information out of DTMF signals detected

by said (p6) telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit;

(ps5) determining request information stored at an address designated by

said identification information extracted during said step of (ps4) on said (p2)

auxiliary memory device; and

(ps6) providing said voice recording control signal to said (p4) output

port according to said determined request information

is recorded.

[Claim 22]

A voice recording apparatus for recording voice information signals on a

voice card, said voice card comprising a voice information memorizing unit, an

interface unit - said interface unit comprises a voice input terminal for transferring

said voice information signals to said voice information memorizing unit and a

control input terminal for receiving a voice recording control signal - and a control

unit for controlling said voice information memorizing unit to record said voice

information signals in response to a voice recording control signal is inputted, by

using (p) a general puφose computer system, which comprises:

(pi) a main memory,

(p2) an auxiliary memory device,

(p3) a central processing unit,

(p4) an output port for providing output signals from said main memory,

auxiliary memory device and CPU,

(p5) an input/output bus for managing input and/or output signals of said

main memory, auxiliary memory device and CPU, and

(p7) a voice signal processing unit coupled to said I/O bus for performing

voice signal processing on said signals of said I/O bus and outputting said

processed signals via a voice output terminal, comprising:

a connection cable for respectively coupling said voice output terminal of

said (p7) voice signal processing unit and said (p4) output port to said voice input

terminal and control input terminal of said interface unit of said voice card; and

a program which makes said (p3) central processing unit to perform steps

of:

(psl) controlling said (p3) voice signal processing unit to perform voice

signal processing on said voice information signals; and

(ps6) providing said voice recording control signal to said (p4) output

port.

[Claim 23] A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein said (p4)

output port is a parallel port, and said connection cable couples a predetermined set

of pins of said (p4) output port to said control input terminal of said interface unit

of said voice card.

[Claim 24]

A computer readable recording media for recording said voice

information signals on a voice card, said voice card comprising a voice

information memorizing unit, an interface unit - said interface unit comprises a

voice input terminal for transferring said voice information signals to said voice

information memorizing unit and a control input terminal for receiving a voice

recording control signal - and a control unit for controlling said voice information

memorizing unit to record said voice information signals in response to a voice

recording control signal is inputted,

by using (p) a general puφose computer system, which comprises:

(p 1 ) a main memory,

(p2) an auxiliary memory device,

(p3) a central processing unit,

(p4) an output port for providing output signals from said main

memory, auxiliary memory device and CPU,

(p5) an input/output bus for managing input and/or output signals of

said main memory, auxiliary memory device and CPU, and

(p7) a voice signal processing unit coupled to said I/O bus for

performing voice signal processing on said signals of said I/O bus and outputting

said processed signals via a voice output terminal, and

a connection cable for respectively coupling said voice output terminal of

. . . .--

said (p7) voice signal processing unit and said (p4) output port to said voice input

terminal and control input terminal of said interface unit of said voice card,

on which a computer program which makes said (p3) central processing

unit to perform steps of:

(psi) controlling said (p3) voice signal processing unit to perform voice

signal processing on said voice information signals; and

(ps6) providing said voice recording control signal to said (p4) output

port

is recorded.